In The UKFollowing her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, Victoria planted the sprig of myrtle from her bouquet in her garden. Since that time, all royal brides in Queen Victoria's family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales, have carried a sprig cut from Victoria's myrtle tree to the altar on their wedding day.In Wales, brides once gave a sprig of myrtle to each bridesmaid.

In Other CulturesAlthough Agrippa ascribes it to the Moon, myrtle has long been associated with Venus and love magick.Aphrodite is often shown wearing a myrtle-leaf wreath in her hair, and during the Roman festival of Venus Verticordia (Venus the Heart-Turner) On April 1, women bathed in water scented with myrtle and wore myrtle wreaths (the picture below shows a gold myrtle wreath from the time of ancient Greece).In Eastern Europe, the wreaths held over the heads of a couple being married were originally made of myrtle (now gold crowns are used instead), In the Appalachian Mountains, throwing this magick herb into a fire was believed to make the face of one's future mate appear in the smoke. In England, folk believed that myrtle wouldn't grow if it was not planted by a woman.

A tall lily named after Sophie. blown ivory garden roses, scented stephanotis, clustered lily of the valley and ivory freesia.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Lily of the valley and primroses

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Bouquet

at APRIL 30, 2011 by RACHAEL in VILLAGE LIFE9The flower geek in me couldn’t help but be excited about what flowers Kate Middleton would choose for her wedding bouquet. Whilst over at Madame Guillotine, fellow writer Melanie is all about the wedding dress, I was dying to see which flowers Kate would choose for her bridal posy.

The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.

The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:

Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness

Sweet William – Gallantry

Hyacinth – Constancy of love

Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection

Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

The tradition of carrying myrtle begun after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany. In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today.

The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858, and was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The invitations for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton have gone out. Since my name was apparently left off the guest list I am considering celebrating stateside. If you fall into the same category, If your name was left off the list the New York Palace hotel is offering a Royal Wedding Sunrise Breakfast on Friday, April 29, 2011, the date of the wedding.

If you want to participate prepare to wake up early. The event, priced at $150 per person inclusive, begins at 5:30 am with coffee and tea service in The Drawing Room at The New York Palace. At 6 am, breakfast service will begin to correspond with the 11 am wedding start time in London, and will conclude at 8 am with a champagne toast. Guests will view the ceremony on flat-screen TVs while enjoying traditional English morning meal favorites, including scones with marmalade, scrambled eggs with Devonshire cream, and breakfast bangers.

The setting in the appropriately grand room will be festive with personalized place cards, elegant floral arrangements by Nancy Sweizy Events, “In Honour Of” printed menus, and commemorative wedding “favors” (scented glass candles with an embossed crown logo). All attendees will receive keepsake Palace slippers, and pillows and blankets will be available throughout the breakfast for those who aren’t quite fully awake yet.

To make reservations for the event, call 212-303-7785. Guests wishing to reserve a Superior guestroom priced at $299 the night before the breakfast may do so by contacting the reservations department at reservations@nypalace.com, calling (800) 804-7035 or visiting the website.

We are looking for surrogate aunts, cousins, sisters, moms!These women would not have the opportunity to experience what we all look forward to when having our babies. They have no family, or coworkers to throw them a baby shower so we get to stand in and stand up to the plate and fill in. We encourage you to bring your young girls to help out and participate in the baby shower.Please contact us and let us know how you would like to help.

Monday, March 28, 2011

The American Folk Art Museum presents Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts From the collection of Joanna Semel Rose

Open To The Public March 25 -30, 2011

Infinite Variety, the American Folk Art Museum’s spectacular installation of 651 red and white American quilts is just that. Presented in the cavernous space of the Park Avenue Armory, the exhibition is like the city itself, monumental, majestic and bold. The quilts are arrayed in gravity defying spirals which climb 60 feet in an overwhelming display, transforming works of intimate delicacy into a stunning architectural statement. Infinite Variety is very much of the moment and yet the quilts from which it has been assembled are timeless.

It was the perfect backdrop for the Museums Annual Gala!

The quilts are from the collection of Joanna Semel Rose, an art collector, intellectual, prominent philanthropist, and doyenne of a leading New York real estate family. Formerly the chairperson of the Partisan Review and rumored to be involved with the (top secret) selection process for the MacArthur Fellowships, she is a quintessential New Yorker.

When asked by her husband Daniel Rose what she wanted for her 80th birthday she suggested this gift for herself and the city, to have her quilts displayed where she (and everyone else) could see them all at the same moment. Due to the Roses’ generosity, this “hottest ticket in town” is open to the public and free of charge.

The First Lady Caroline Harrison's 1889 inaugural gown was in keeping with the "America First" economic policy of her husband Benjamin Harrison, Caroline’s gown was an "All-American" creation. Made in New York City by William Ghormley's firm, Ghormley, Robes et Manteaux. The Logan Silk Company in Auburn, New York, produced the fabric for the dress, while Indiana artist Mary Williamson designed the brocaded silk fabric in a pattern of Burr Oaks in tribute to Benjamin Harrison's grandfather, President William Henry Harrison.http://americanhistory.si.edu/news/factsheet.cfm?key=30&newskey=595

For decades, the first ladies exhibition has been one of the most popular attractions at the Smithsonian Institution. It is beloved by visitors who come to admire the famous collection of gowns and to learn about the contributions made by the women who wore them.

The Catering was by Ome Caterers was Spread was not just beautiful but delicious as well. Ome's unrivaled experience with all details of event planning, from staffing to menu choices to rentals, allows you to relax and enjoy your celebration. When you experience first-hand Ome Caterers’ impeccable service, fine cuisine, and tasteful presentation, you will understand why Ome has become the caterer of choice for the most discerning clients in the tri-state area.http://www.omecaterers.com

Nancy Swiezy Events and The New York Palace Celebrate The Royal Wedding In Style !

The invitations for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton have gone out. If your name was left off the list you can still celebrate. The New York Palace Hotel is offering a Royal Wedding Sunrise Breakfast on Friday, April 29, 2011, the date of the wedding.

Please Join Nancy Swiezy Events to participate prepare to wake up early.The event, priced at $150 per person inclusive, begins at 5:30 am with coffee and tea service in The Drawing Room at The New York Palace. At 6 am, breakfast service will begin to correspond with the 11 am wedding start time in London, and will conclude at 8 am with a champagne toast. Guests will view the ceremony on flat-screen TVs while enjoying traditional English morning meal favorites, including scones with marmalade, scrambled eggs with Devonshire cream, and breakfast bangers.Continue reading Watch The Royal Wedding In Style At The New York Palace

THE Royal Wedding ’11 Celebration Party

On Friday 29th April from 5am, head over to trendy DUMBO and watch the Royal Wedding between Kate Middleton & Prince William with us.

Join us for our Big Apple Brits party at the DUMBO Lofts which will run all day and night with live a screening of the event and reruns all day and night!

Take Advantage of our Early Bird Special Pricing upto 1st April Reserve Now! All Day VIP Pass (9am – 1am) Only $50 | Evening Pass (8pm – 1am) Only $30 Tickets include AN “OPEN BAR” ALL DAY & NIGHT! serving Beers, Wine, Champagne, Kia Royales, Spirits, Pimms, Cider, Soft Drinks & much more. Also 10 Raffle tickets are included and Canapes will be served during the evening event.

The BAB Party includes a re-run of the day’s events, video clips from past royal events, Live Music, DJ’s spinning tunes across the decades, Comedians, Theatre shows and much more…..

And If Your Not a Early Bird....

INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN...

THE ROYAL WEDDING BASH

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011 $200 per personEDISON BALLROOM

This is the first GEORGE annual fundraiser, celebrating the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday 29th April at Edison Ballroom near Times Square. The evening will start with a cocktail reception followed by a three-course meal with entertainment and live music. We will be showing highlights from the wedding and there will be an auction to raise money for St. George's Society beneficiaries and scholars.